Star Wars Travel for May 4

Thanks to the way it sounds when spoken in a sentence, May 4 has long been known as a day for Star Wars fans to openly celebrate the movies, books, comics and videogames released since 1976.

It is no wonder, then, some people will inevitably want to travel for the occasion. In addition to destinations, there are a few good reasons to travel around May 4. Unfortunately, the big family-friendly Star Wars destinations inside the Disney parks don’t open until a little bit later this year. Fortunately, there are tons of real-life places featured in the filming of various Star Wars films that are great for the entire family.

Starting at the beginning, the first look at a planet viewers got was Tatooine. These scenes were filmed in Tunisia. This multiday tour gives groups a chance to experience the force by way of visits to the Cantina and “Ben” Kenobi’s home.

Older fans of the original trilogy should book a trip to Tikal, in Guatemala, a filming destination for Yavin IV, in A New Hope.  If you’re more partial to Ewoks, travel to the Redwood forests of California is all you need to visit the moon of Endor, where much of Return of the Jedi filmed.

Mayan Temples of Gran Plaza or Plaza Mayor at Tikal National Par. Photo: Diego Grandi – Dreamstime.com

Younger fans will most definitely be more familiar with the new trilogy of films, and luckily, the new trilogy features just as many distinct locales as the previous six movies.

One of the most iconic destinations from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi is Luke Skywalker’s refuge, Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael is a World Heritage island off the coast of Ireland, home to a number of monastery buildings. The isolated island created the tension and isolation demanded by Skywalker’s character in these films.

Jakku was filmed in the Rub’ al Khali desert, on the Arabian Peninsula, while the scene where Han, Rey and the crew land to look for help from Maz Kanata was filmed in Derwentwater, England.

The Star Wars films are absolutely packed with beautiful locations. Although they aren’t all filled with family-accessible tours and adventures, like those in Tunisia, they represent a great opportunity for the entire family to see some of the most beautiful destinations in the world.

Later this year, families will have even more options when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in Walt Disney World and Disneyland.